In a (oh no not another) moment of madness....

Posted by: JonR on 20 March 2005

...I bid for a Hicap2 on eBay last week, and......won!

So having picked it up from the seller it now sits in front of me in its boxed and pristine state.

Now, of course I should connect it up to my system forthwith, but before I do I thought I'd post this topic because ISTM that I now have a number of options to consider.

My system is as follows:-

CDX2/XPS2/202/FC2/200/Planar 3/Stageline/NACA5/Spendor S5es.

The FC2 powers both the 202 and the Stageline.
Obviously the main reason I got the Hicap2 was to use this to power the 202, and I am hoping the provides me with a reasonably significant improvement in sound quality, particularly at low volumes which is important to me given my current living situation.

Now, the complicating factor here is the Stageline - how do I power this? Do I keep the FC2 just to power the Stageline or do I plug it into the powered socket of the 202 and take the FC2 out of the system completely?

Or...do I continue to power the 202 with the FC2 and use the Hicap2 to power the Stageline?? OK, it's the wackiest option I know but it's possible!

The other slightly complicating factor here is that I don't currently have enough mains sockets to accommodate both the FC2 and the Hicap2! I currently use a Graham's 4-way unswitched plug adaptor to plug the system into. So, do I change this for a 6-way or do I get a 4-lead Hydra instead? Or do I got for one of those MAPLINs multiplug things??

Anyway, lots of stuff to chew over, so what suggesteth the forum? Smile

As usual, any and all replies and responses gratefully received, and many thanks in advance for reading!

Cheers,

Jon
Posted on: 20 March 2005 by toad
Jon,

Oh I forgot to add, I use the Maplins plugs, with the NAPSC into a different socket. Don't ask me which pieces of kit to wire into each for the best earthing solution.

Can't go wrong with these for 6 quid.

Kev.
Posted on: 21 March 2005 by Frank Abela
The Hydra's the best solution with the Hicap powering the 202 and the FC powering the Stageline (and perhaps a Headline in future).

Don't go for the Maplin's plugs - they're awful on the main kit such as amps and CD players. The NAPSC is probably the only bit of kit which wouldn't be affected too badly by that plug.
Posted on: 21 March 2005 by J.N.
Hi Graham;

I'm a '57' owner, and love 'em. I had my pair fettled with some new panels and re-wired etc, last year by 'Classique Sounds/One Thing Audio'.

I also got some nice stands for them.



I'd love to see a picture of your stacked pairs (and system). Can you oblige us?

(Apologies for diverting your thread Jon)

John.
Posted on: 21 March 2005 by graham55
John

I don't have a digital camera and, even if I did, I wouldn't know how to post a picture here. But I do have some clever friends, so I'll oblige as soon as I can.

I had my 57s completely rebuilt, with brand new panels, electronics and grilles, by Quad GmbH in Germany. And the custom-made stands have to be seen to be believed.

Now I'm just waiting for the third rebuilt pair for the rear channel reinforcement!

G
Posted on: 21 March 2005 by garyi
I have just got a haydra 6 way, its very well constructed and I would imagine equally as safe as a 6 way block, look at it that way.

It came to 90 quid but I got an extra 3 metres put on the main lead, otherwise its about 80. Well worth the money because I am to bone idle to make my own (plus I am sloppy)
Posted on: 21 March 2005 by JonR
Garyi,

Cheers for that - I assume you've got 6 Naim boxes to plug it into then? Do you concur with Graham's advice about not having any unused 'heads' ?

Cheers.

Regards,

Jon
Posted on: 21 March 2005 by toad
Frank-
quote:
Don't go for the Maplin's plugs - they're awful on the main kit such as amps and CD players.


Just curious about your opinion of these plugs Frank - The Naim lead stays the same length, gets screwed onto a pin, goes in the socket - what could be simpler? They didn't improve my system, but certainly didn't make it worse one iota. Seems a simple, cheap, and (relatively) elegant solution.

Kev.
Posted on: 21 March 2005 by paul_g
quote:
Originally posted by toad:
Frank-
quote:
Don't go for the Maplin's plugs - they're awful on the main kit such as amps and CD players.


Just curious about your opinion of these plugs Frank - The Naim lead stays the same length, gets screwed onto a pin, goes in the socket - what could be simpler? They didn't improve my system, but certainly didn't make it worse one iota. Seems a simple, cheap, and (relatively) elegant solution.

Kev.


Seriously though Kev, your logic seems reasonable to me - & it seems to meet the "star-earthing" criterion too.

Or does it ?

Oh bugger, why did I get involved ?

Paul
Posted on: 22 March 2005 by JonR
UPDATE:-

A 5-lead Hydra is on order from Graham's! I hope to pick it up either this week or early next.

Cheers,

Jon
Posted on: 22 March 2005 by NB
Whatever next?

You seem to be on a constant upgrade Jon, a 300 perhaps Winker
Posted on: 22 March 2005 by JonR
Hehe - at this rate a 300 will bankrupt me for sure! Eek Big Grin

I have literally just this very moment switched the system back on having connected up the HIcap to the 202. The FC2 is now powering only the Stageline - I've had to use the DVD player's socket in the other 4-way plug adaptor I'm using for the AV stuff so the DVD will be out of action for a while.

Only temporary though until I get the hydra!

Am listening to the new Natalie Imbruglia CD single and can detect some extra low-end detail at what is (necessarily at this time of night!) a low volume.

System needs to warm up now but the start is a promising one!

Cheers,

Jon
Posted on: 22 March 2005 by NB
Has your jaw hit the floor?
Posted on: 22 March 2005 by JonR
It's getting there!
Posted on: 22 March 2005 by NB
Give it time Big Grin
Posted on: 22 March 2005 by JonR
........................................................................................OUCH!!!!
Posted on: 22 March 2005 by NB
quote:
Originally posted by JonR:
........................................................................................OUCH!!!!



Big Grin Big Grin Big Grin
Posted on: 22 March 2005 by Hawk
sounds like your having fun! look forward to hearing more when its all warmed up...
In the meantime if all goes well there may be some changes chez Hawk soon Winker
Posted on: 22 March 2005 by NB
Its all happening now!

First Jon,

Then Hawk,

Who's next...?
Posted on: 22 March 2005 by Steve O
Hi Jon,
Sorry for the delay in replying.
I bought a Supercap2 just before Xmas and moved the HiCap across to the stageline.
I had the Stageline powered from the 282 when I did the home dem as my dealer didn't have the 4 pin cable. So much better through the HiCap, which of course it should be.
Regards,
Steve O.
Posted on: 22 March 2005 by JonR
quote:
Originally posted by Hawk:
sounds like your having fun! look forward to hearing more when its all warmed up...
In the meantime if all goes well there may be some changes chez Hawk soon Winker


Cheers Hawk, looks like you're having fun on the 'weather' thread in the 'Cell - are things on the up at last...? Smile

You will have to bring your 282 round at some point. Now I've got a proper power supply for it the results should be very interesting!

Cheers,

Jon Cool
Posted on: 22 March 2005 by JonR
quote:
Originally posted by Steve O:
Hi Jon,
Sorry for the delay in replying.
I bought a Supercap2 just before Xmas and moved the HiCap across to the stageline.
I had the Stageline powered from the 282 when I did the home dem as my dealer didn't have the 4 pin cable. So much better through the HiCap, which of course it should be.
Regards,
Steve O.


Hi Steve,

No problem and thanks for the reply.

A Supercap eh? Hehe, super power - you can't go wrong with one of those! And I'm sure the Stageline must sound great with a HiCap powering it - nice one!

Cheers,

Jon
Posted on: 22 March 2005 by JonR
quote:
Originally posted by NB:
Its all happening now!

First Jon,

Then Hawk,

Who's next...?


Next will be you of course Mr B - I fully expect Mr Cymbiosis to make a lucrative visit to his garage at some point in the very near future for precisely that reason! Winker
Posted on: 22 March 2005 by Hawk
quote:
Originally posted by JonR:
Cheers Hawk, looks like you're having fun on the 'weather' thread in the 'Cell - are things on the up at last...? Smile
:


Thanks for asking but sadly not, the fun was a distraction/stress relief measure. Work have been so good and basically opened the toy cupboard!

I'll drop you an email

cheers

Hawk
Posted on: 22 March 2005 by JonR
Aaah....OK, look forward to the email, Hawk.

Cheers,

Jon
Posted on: 22 March 2005 by toad
Erm,

Anyone going to tell me why Maplins 4-way plugs are a bad thing? Or is it not germane to this thread?

Cheers, kev.